Outstanding 19th-Century French Carved Bone Ladies at the Spinning Wheel

Live Auction

5" (13 cm.) Standing atop an intricately designed spinning wheel fancy are two ladies with carved bonnets and costumes; the spinning wheel is connected to treadle and moving gears arranged on a lower level,and when the handle is very carefully turned the spinning wheel turns,too. Excellent condition. French,mid-19th century,from a series of exquisite miniature fancies created by seamen from the French Brittany coast during the quiet winter months,this example having amazing detail and whimsical design.